Nickel beryllium alloy compositions

Abstract

Disclosed herein are nickel beryllium alloys having improved corrosion and hardness characteristics relative to known nickel beryllium alloys. The alloys have a chemical composition with about 1.5% to 5% beryllium (Be) by weight, about 0.5% to 7% niobium (Nb) by weight; and nickel (Ni). Up to about 5 wt % chromium (Cr) may also be included. The alloys display improved hardness and corrosion resistance properties.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A nickel beryllium alloy composition comprising:
 from about 1.5% to about 5.0% by weight of beryllium (Be); 
 from about 0.4% to about 6.0% by weight of niobium (Nb); 
 less than 0.3 wt % aluminum (Al); 
 up to about 5% by weight chromium; and 
 at least 88 wt % nickel (Ni). 
 
     
     
       2. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy composition comprises from greater than 0.5 wt % up to about 5% by weight chromium. 
     
     
       3. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , further comprising titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.7% by weight. 
     
     
       4. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having from about 2.0% to about 3.0% by weight of beryllium (Be). 
     
     
       5. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having from about 0.4% to about 5.0% by weight of niobium (Nb). 
     
     
       6. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having:
 from about 2.0% to about 3.0% by weight of beryllium (Be); 
 from about 0.4% to about 5.0% by weight of niobium (Nb); 
 less than 0.3% by weight aluminum (Al); 
 chromium (Cr) in an amount of up to about 5% by weight; 
 titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.7% by weight; and 
 at least 88 wt % nickel (Ni). 
 
     
     
       7. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having at least 93% by weight of nickel (Ni). 
     
     
       8. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy contains titanium (Ti) as an unavoidable impurity. 
     
     
       9. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having a Rockwell C hardness of at least 50. 
     
     
       10. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , having a Rockwell C hardness of at least 52. 
     
     
       11. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of Be:Nb is from 4:1 to 70:1. 
     
     
       12. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , consisting essentially of:
 from about 2.2% to about 2.9% by weight of beryllium (Be); 
 from about 0.4% to about 1.8% by weight of niobium (Nb); 
 less than 0.3% by weight aluminum (Al) 
 chromium (Cr) in an amount of up to about 5% by weight; 
 titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.7% by weight; and 
 at least 93% by weight of nickel (Ni). 
 
     
     
       13. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least 89.95 wt % nickel. 
 
     
     
       14. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least 92.30 wt % nickel. 
 
     
     
       15. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 1 , comprising:
 at least 91.75 wt % nickel. 
 
     
     
       16. A nickel beryllium alloy composition comprising:
 from about 1.5% to about 5.0% by weight beryllium (Be); 
 from about 0.4% to about 6.0% by weight niobium (Nb); 
 from 0% to about 5% by weight chromium (Cr); 
 from 0% to about 0.7% by weight titanium (Ti); 
 less than 0.3% by weight carbon (C); 
 less than 0.3% by weight copper (Cu); 
 less than 0.3% by weight aluminum (Al); 
 less than 0.3% by weight iron (Fe); and 
 at least 88 wt % nickel (Ni). 
 
     
     
       17. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 16 , comprising:
 from about 2.0% to about 3.0% by weight beryllium (Be); and 
 from about 0.4% to about 5.0% by weight niobium (Nb). 
 
     
     
       18. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 16 , comprising:
 at least 89.95 wt % nickel. 
 
     
     
       19. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 16 , comprising:
 at least 92.30 wt % nickel. 
 
     
     
       20. The nickel beryllium alloy composition of  claim 16 , comprising:
 at least 91.75 wt % nickel.